Luton Town – One Unfortunate Day In Cambridge Still Haunts Me

I’ve just discovered, courtesy of social media, that the former Hatter, Steve White has reached the grand age of sixty-five.

Now I’m not sure if I’ve recalled the following story before or not.

But, even if I have it, I feel, deserves a second outing.

Now I’m not sure of the year but as an avid follower of the Hatters, on the road, I can still distinctly remember a trip to the Abbey Stadium to play Cambridge United.

Numerous of us crowded into a Luton Box Van for the journey, something the Police would, if discovered, severely clamp down on these days.

Arriving at our destination, the van was parked up and like many other Luton Town supporters, we made our way through that familiar field, occupied by cows, to the ramshackle away end.

Now anyone who, back in those days, made the trip to Cambridge will remember that the away end was a small open terrace behind the goal but with a small enclosed area to the left hand side as you looked at the pitch.

Favouring the open terrace, we positioned ourselves, facing forward, to the right hand side of the goal.

Chatting amongst ourselves, we joined in the clapping as the Luton Town players ran onto the pitch to perform their pre-match warm up.

Returning to chatting, I was aware of a call of:

“Watch out!”

Turning quickly to my left, the last thing I recall is a stray shot, from Steve White, hitting me flush in the face.

The force of the impact was hard enough to knock me off my feet and I was the source of many a chuckle, especially when I returned to my feet and I had the imprint of the said ball on my face for at least thirty minutes.

At the time I didn’t find it particularly funny but many years on it does make me smile when somebody, while out on the lash, always reminds me of it!

Happy 65th Birthday Steve White.

COYH

Previous article by Mad Hatter

Luton Town – The Legends Series – Matt Tees